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Ascension Director Unsure If God Of War Setting Will Ever Change

Before God of War: Ascension was revealed, there were rumors that the new series installment would feature a different setting and possibly a different main character.

But can this franchise really survive without Kratos and the now-familiar Greek mythology? Gamers have embraced both and Ascension director Todd Papy isn't sure they should ever make any drastic changes. In speaking to Game Informer, Papy reminds us that in order to create something entirely new (fresh setting and characters), you need one thing above all else: time.

Papy first cited Naughty Dog and their work on The Last Of Us, saying the directors of the latest project didn't work on Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception; they probably started the new IP almost immediately after finishing Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. So yeah, you need time. And might the team ever go in a different direction? Answered Papy:

"I don't know. I mean, frankly, ideally after this one, yeah, we get to put it down for a while and I get to take a nice vacation (laughs), so I won't have to think about it. I think that, if anything, that's something that we need to weigh, you know? Can God of War be without Kratos or can God of War be within a different mythology? That would be something that we'd really need to sit down and think about and boil down to the essence of God of War. If we take out one of those pillars, does it make the game better or should we be doing this?"

That's not an easy question to answer. As a developer, I certainly wouldn't want to try...it's exciting and risky, that's for damn sure.

I'm excited for Ascension but they can't keep going back to the same well if they want this series to stay relevant and great. Norse mythology would be an awesome new universe to explore. It's a shame it's SO risky developing new ideas in this day and age, but I think you have to try if you want to avoid franchise fatigue.

I don't think GoW should ever feature a different character, as would be the same for the Uncharted series.

GoW is based on a story of how Kratos became the God of War. That's the story. So anything after that would have to be either a new GoW by dethroning Kratos. If it were done another way then it simply shouldn't be called God of War.

I don't think that Kratos should ever be replaced... That's like replacing Nathan in Uncharted, it shouldn't be done... And if your done with prequels and sequels to God of War and Kratos' story then i suggest just leaving it alone and start another IP in the greek mythology world with his own name and story but just as badass as Kratos

From what I understand and may not be true is this ending was rushed and the original planned ending was just to big to finish in time for release... I see your point, which is why I bring that up, I don't think they actually intended it to be taken the way it was. As the end. As it was just the end of the trilogy.

I wasn't on board completely with a prequel until I started hearing details. I wouldn't call it milking yet as the PSP games have done very well and worked without being tied as a sequel. Plus my curiosity is very high about what we will find out. Of course we know Kratos backstory through some narration in the first game but I always thought it would be fun to play that out.

My only worry is contradictions. The main reason I fear that is every game has had a different director. Curious as to why Stig isn't directing this one. I have a feeling if he was it wouldn't be a prequel.Last edited by bigrailer19 on 7/24/2012 7:18:38 PM

Ascension will have to be a price drop pickup, I like story advancement. If I already know the future then I'm only gonna be in it for the gameplay and that alone has never been a big day 1 seller for me.

to me, when i hear the name "god of war", i think of the greek gods and greek mythology. IMO... if they wanted to change, the first thing they should do is change the name. to me the game god of war will not survive without kratos and the greek mythology. again IMO.

Greek mythos are by far the most interesting, they are what made me really interested in ancient history in the 1st place.

If they change the setting, many people would lose interest as mythologies in other cultures are not as "broad" as Greek's. (good example is Roman mythology, they partially taken from the Greeks, creating a similar polytheistic religion)Last edited by YashaZz on 7/24/2012 5:04:07 PM

no it simply cant!id love to see kratos die in GOW3, they really need to come out and clarify the ending!than once that is done move onto another mythology, id love to see them working on something based on the roman empire.now that would be cool!but has to be a new IP obviously, it would make no sense bringing different mythologies into the GOW franchise, its been built on greek mythology so it should stay there!if they want to tell a story after 3 than fine, but what story can you really tell?if they can find a story to tell relevant to greek mythology and based in GOW history, than fine.otherwise they really need to move onto a new IP!

To me, choosing another protagonist and a new setting would only make the most sense. You can only go so far with greek mythology (or any consistently used theme for that matter) before it either becomes repetitive and unoriginal, the consumers no longer hold interest, and any possible innovations that could be made with the theme are expended.

Not only have fans been asking to see a change, I'm sure the development team would have a lot of fun exploring a new setting, new characters, new weapons, concepts and ideas.

Even if time is a concern, they should at least try, because without creative exploration with the franchise, it will become stagnantly familiar.